2,000-year-old art big hit at NLC

Taekwondo is much more than what Hollywood makes it out to be. Regardless of what you see on film, it is not a destructive sport but an art form. Were you thinking that flying from wall to wall is involved? Maybe in the world of Jackie Chan movies.

So what is Taekwondo? Taekwondo means “the art of foot and hand techniques.” It is a Korean martial art that is nearly 2,000 years old. It is also a way of living a philosophy for those in search of self-improvement, self-control, and respect for others.

That is why I like the course. It gives me an opportunity to exercise strength and some of the basic principles. My instructor, Seung K. Yang, is teaching us to follow those basic principles. When taking Taekwondo, the student should follow several guiding principles: Courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.

To move up to a higher belt, Yang said, the student must kick a piece of wood and successfully break it. The rending of an unsuspecting piece of lumber is not, of course, the only requirement. The student must also know a routine of kicks and punches as well as some Korean terminology. No worries though. That is all taught in the class. A certificate is given as proof of moving up in rank and is legitimate anywhere a student wishes to continue the sport.

Yang has been teaching Taekwondo for 17 years and has five schools in the Dallas area and has a seventh degree black belt. The course he teaches at North Lake is Beginning Self-Defense, PHED 1120, and is offered in the fall and spring. For more information on instructor Yang, go to www.masteryang.com.